Steelers players reaction to Todd Haley’s playbook shows how weak Arians playbook was

[RuthlessBurgher]

My guess is that Peyton Manning isn't learning much new, he will be instrumental in the installation of the offense and terminology that he is familiar with. The Broncos only have a small opening with Manning and won't want to have him learn a new system, they'll have the others learn what he knows. At least, if I were the Broncos, I would want Manning up to speed as quickly as possible.

Pappy

That's a heck of a mock draft you have in your sig, Pap! You pretty much nailed it!

You can update Paulson and Frederick to "signed" status as well.

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Agree-To-Terms-With-Seventh-Round-Picks-Paulson-and-Frederick/48d8845d-6e4c-4766-b48a-546472b19c7c[/URL]

[fordfixer]

Blah, blah, blah.

If we do better on offense then the playbook is better, if we don't then it is worse. Everything in between is just idle chit chat to kill time until we have something real to talk about.

Thanks. Now back to the idle chit chat

[fordfixer]

[QUOTE=papillon;509111]And, you didn't have to "unlearn" anything, you simply took your football knowledge and applied to the play call, the Steeler players are going to have to "translate" what they know (BA's system) into what they don't know (TH's system). The same as learning a language, if you don't know German you have to translate it into English and until you do that enough, so that it is second nature it takes time to process German. It will take the players time to process Todd Haley speak into something they know. Can they do it? Of course. Will it be second nature by September? Only time will

Danke, guter Beitrag. Herr Papillon

[RuthlessBurgher]

Danke, guter Beitrag. Herr Papillon

I must say I grow weary of these monkeyshines. Did you hear that? That was the sound of my Walther. Pointed right at your testicles.

Why do you have your Walther pointed at my testicles?

Because you've just given yourself away, Captain. You're no more German than that scotch.

[fordfixer]

I must say I grow weary of these monkeyshines. Did you hear that? That was the sound of my Walther. Pointed right at your testicles. Why do you have your Walther pointed at my testicles? Because you've just given yourself away, Captain. You're no more German than that scotch.

You got me, but I did watch Hoagn's Heroes as a boy Now please slowly realease the hammer on your Walther

[hawaiiansteel]

Transition Is Hard, but the Pittsburgh Steelers Won't Miss Bruce Arians in 2012

By Andrea Hangst (AFC North Lead Blogger) on May 16, 2012


Just because Ben Roethlisberger gave Bruce Arians his continued support doesn't mean the Steelers should have kept him around.

Change is inevitable in the NFL, even for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers that doesn't see much of it.

This has been a tumultuous offseason for the Steelers. Not only did they cut many of their veteran starters in order to get under the salary cap, the team chose to move on from long-time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, hiring Todd Haley in his place.

While the removal of Arians had many Steelers fans sighing with relief, it's not so cut-and-dry for the players who have been relying on a familiar system since 2007, when Arians was promoted to offensive coordinator after serving as wide receivers coach.

It's especially rough for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is still admittedly confused by both Haley's new playbook and Haley's plans for the offense as a whole.



Todd Haley's coaching philosophy differs from Arians', but that doesn't mean the end product will be extremely different

Though Roethlisberger still has yet to grasp what Haley has planned—and the team has yet to really work through any of his plays or terminology on the practice field—there's little to worry about. The Steelers will ultimately be better off with Haley as their offensive coordinator than they were with Arians.

Arians fit the Steelers for a time. But the Steelers are now a different team with different needs. Arians did a good job boosting their passing game and developing Roethlisberger into the player he is now, but it's time to evolve.

Under Arians, the Steelers offense became predictable. First-down runs, bubble screens to nowhere and stalled red zone drives became more and more common and didn't fit in with the Steelers' increasingly strong passing game.

Haley's approach is less rigid than Arians'. He's been known for both his strong running offenses (in Kansas City) as much as for his big-play passing games (with the Arizona Cardinals) and crafts his plays to best fit the talent he has available.

This means that the Steelers may run the ball the same amount they did under Arians, but just in different circumstances, to different ends. The same goes for the passing game, which, according to Roethlisberger, will include increased focus on the no-huddle and overall ramping up the speed of the game.

The one major change to expect in the Steelers offense under Haley is the running backs' involvement in the passing game. Dave Bryan of SteelersDepot.com took a look at just how often Haley used running backs in the passing game as compared to Arians, and it's very clear Haley wants backs to catch more passes than Arians did.

You could see the setup for this change in the Steelers' approach to last month's draft when they selected hybrid back/receiver Chris Rainey in the fifth round. Rainey has many traits in common with a Haley product from Kansas City, Dexter McCluster, and will likely be used in a similar manner.

The bottom line is that Arians relied on the strength of his play-calling to lead the Steelers offense rather than lend more weight to the strength of the Steelers offensive roster.

Haley will take the latter approach, meaning that the passing game will continue to be a major focal point of the team's offense this year—it's just too good to reign in—but he will also try to use perhaps all five of the Steelers running backs to their full effectiveness as well.

No, the Steelers offense wasn't broke, but that doesn't mean it didn't need fixing, or changing or ratcheting up. Haley's presence on the coaching staff will require everyone to make a transition, and it's happening whether the players are comfortable with it or not.

The ultimate success or failure of the change will have to wait until the season starts. However, I don't believe the Steelers made a bad decision by moving away from Arians nor by hiring Haley. This was just the shot in the arm Pittsburgh's offense needed.

[URL]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1185842-transition-is-hard-but-the-pittsburgh-steelers-wont-miss-bruce-arians-in-2012[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Chris Adamski(BuzzsawPGH) via twitter:

Interesting quote, somewhat out of nowhere, from #Steelers T Marcus Gilbert:

"I think this playbook is a lot better than last year's."

[URL]http://twtkr.olleh.com/BuzzsawPGH[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

check out the quote in red below from Isaac Redman, that tells you about everything you need to know about Arians' run designs in his playbook. I could have told you most of the time what run play was coming...


Isaac Redman Talks about the Advantages of Pittsburgh’s New Offense, his Grasp on the System and his Chance to Start at RB

June 8, 2012 by Brad Gagnon

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is going through plenty of changes this offseason. Not only do the Steelers have to learn a whole new offensive under new coordinator Todd Haley, but there’s also uncertainty regarding who’ll be the No. 1 back to start the season with Rashard Mendenhall recovering from a torn ACL.

Steelers running back Isaac Redman joined Jim Colony on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to talk about his chances of starting in place of Rashard Mendenhall, his goals for preparing for 2012, his grasp on the new offense and how the changes could help the team.

On the opportunity he has to gain a major role with Rashard Mendenhall hurt:

“I’m just gonna take it like I’ve done with every opportunity I’ve got — try to make the best of it. If he comes back, then he comes back. If he’s the guy, then he’s the guy. We’re all in this room trying to win a championship so whatever it takes. Right now, I’m just working hard and trying to prepare myself to be the No. 1 back.”

On what he’s working on to prepare for 2012:

“I think I’m gonna come in a little lighter, try to be a little faster. [He's asked if that's it] That’s it. Everything else I’m pretty much … I’ve been very good on blitz pick-up. I’m a student of the game and coaches told me that’s what kept me around, because I’m a fast learner. I’m one of the few guys that’s picking this offense up pretty fast and I just want to be a little faster, and with the speed will come power.”

On if he feels he’s completely ready to go in the new offense:

“No, not by any means. It’s still early but I’m starting to be able to break the huddle and not do as much thinking as I was when we first started. And that’s a big key, being able to break the huddle and not have to think about what you’re doing and already know what you’re doing that you can go out and play fast.”

On if being forced to learn an offense forces everyone to concentrate harder:

“It does. It’s gonna take everybody to go home, watch film, go home and stay in the play book. As far as — last year a lot of guys probably just took it for granted, ‘I know this, I know that,’ and maybe not as crisp as we could’ve been, especially in the red zone last year. So now every single one of us is gonna have to be in our playbook knowing exactly what we need to do and exactly where we need to be."

"And also, you gotta look at it, the other teams that we play, especially in our conference, they were used to us running the same plays and kinda had our playbook down and kinda knew what we were running."

"Now, they got a whole new offense that they have to prepare for.”

[URL="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2012/06/08/ike-redman-talks-about-the-advantages-of-pittsburghs-new-offense-his-grasp-on-the-system-and-his-chance-to-start-at-rb/"]http://sportsradiointerviews.com/201...o-start-at-rb/[/URL]

[SteelAbility]

PASS PLAY
Flip right, double-X, Jet...FORMATION
36 counter...BLOCKING SCHEME
naked waggle...QB MOTION
X-7, X-quarter...PASS ROUTES

Hey, i think im getting it already! shouldnt be too tough for the professionals

Very well done ... in NON REAL TIME.

[hawaiiansteel]

Ask The Steelers: Chris Rainey

Teresa Varley - Steelers.com
June 20, 2012

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.

Rookie running back Chris Rainey

Dan Myers, Rochester, New York: What was it like waiting to be drafted, where were you, how was the wait?
Rainey: It was a fun feeling because you had been watching all your life, waiting for the moment to be in that situation. I was at home with the Pouncey twins, with family members, just hanging out, eating and waiting.

Pat Martin: What was your first reaction when you were drafted by the Steelers?
Rainey: The phone rang and I didn’t know who it was. It was a Pennsylvania number, but I didn’t know if it was the Steelers or the Eagles. I saw the next pick, but then I went outside and I didn’t even see the pick when they took me. I was on the phone, answered and it was Coach (Mike) Tomlin. I was blessed and happy. Both of the twins called me, I had a phone in both ears at the same time. It was a blessing. I just have to take advantage of it now and be a part of this team.

Rob Saunders, Gainesville, Florida: Who did you first talk to when you were drafted, what was that conversation like?
Rainey: I talked to Coach Tomlin first. I just remember the coaches telling me things, what to expect, joking around. That is about it.

Matt Zimmerman, Landover, Maryland: How great is it to come to a team where you have a close friend in Maurkice Pouncey and other former Gators?
Rainey: It’s real nice to have people you already know on the team. It makes you more comfortable. Plus it’s a great program. Everybody is nice here. They are humble. It’s a good program all around.

Roy Brown, Greensburg, Pennsylvania: You got a look at Todd Haley’s offense already. What do you think of it, is it tough?
Rainey: It’s going to be great. I know this style of offense. I have asked some of the other players if they like it and they do. They think it’s better than the one they used to have here.

Butch Grey, Fort Worth, Texas: Now that you have seen what the Steelers offense is like, what areas do you think you need to work on the most?
Rainey: I want to be a great player at everything I do, work hard at everything. I need to work on every aspect of my game.

Steve Kneier, New Orleans, Louisiana: What did the team tell you about your role this season and in the future?
Rainey: They didn’t say anything yet, just be ready, do your job and stay focused.

Tim Anderson: How important are special teams?
Rainey: Special teams are number one in my book. I have been doing it all my life. It’s always been important, always been number one.

Eric Reynolds, Florida: What makes you a great returner?
Rainey: I would say vision, making guys miss, things like that.

Timothy Steele, Bradenton, Florida: What is your main goal now?
Rainey: Be a part of this team and contribute in the games and help the team win.

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Ask-The-Steelers-Chris-Rainey/90d67697-5ef1-4ef1-bcf3-a0c9e401760a[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Reggie Wayne likes Bruce Arians: “He’s not going to BS you”

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 15, 2012



New Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has made a good impression on veteran receiver Reggie Wayne by not taking it easy on him.

Instead, Wayne says, Arians has impressed Wayne by getting on his case and calling him out in meetings if necessary, posting lists of mistakes players have made in practices and sparing no one.

“He’s not going to BS you,” Wayne told the Indianapolis Star. “I’ve been on there quite a few times. You know when meetings start, he’s going to put that paper up. And sometimes you’ll be afraid to look up and see how many times your number’s on there. He doesn’t care who you are. He’ll put your number up there and he’s going to correct you.”

Arians says his practice of listing players’ mistakes isn’t about embarrassing players, it’s about giving them a sense of ownership over the offense.

“It’s not my offense, it’s theirs,” Arians said. “They have to be accountable to each other. If it’s one of those young guys on that sheet a lot in September and October, you need to check into what he’s doing off the field and get him straightened out. We are collective and one guy can tear it all apart.”

Wayne is one veteran who likes to see a coach who’s going to hold him, and his teammates, accountable.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/15/reggie-wayne-likes-bruce-arians-hes-not-going-to-bs-you/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Indianapolis Colts Coach Chuck Pagano: 'We Hit a Home Run' with Bruce Arians

by Neal Coolong on Jul 15, 2012



Indianapolis Star writer Mike Chappell has an in-depth feature geared around new Colts offensive coordinator, and former Steelers offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians.

The impression left with Chappell is Arians is looking for accountability. Not just with him, but within his offensive players.

He also writes about the process used by head coach Chuck Pagano in hiring Arians, and everything suggests Pagano and the Colts are excited to have him.

Particularly WR Reggie Wayne, who conducted a bit of a background check on his new boss.

Per Chappelle, Wayne called a few Steelers players to hear what Arians was like. His research to this point is exactly what he was told.

"Everything they said, I'm seeing with him. Everything," Wayne said. "He's not going to sugarcoat anything. He's going to try to correct you and make you the best you can be. If you're a veteran guy, you've got to understand that and take the good with the bad.

"I appreciate that. I can handle that. I'm glad he's here."

Judging by the Steelers' propensity to throw the ball in two of the last three seasons (in 2010, they ran the ball the most, and went to the Super Bowl. They missed the playoffs in 2009 and lost in the first round in 2011), it would figure Wayne would be excited.

Chappelle also writes Arians is expected to oversee "an offense that leans on a power running game and passing attack that is diverse and tight-end heavy."

The tight end part is believable. However, it seems the most logical reason Arians was brought in was due to his track record with quarterbacks. Arians was with Peyton Manning and Tim Couch, both No. 1 overall picks, in their rookie seasons, and oversaw Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger starting in his fourth season.

Andrew Luck is Arians' third quarterback taken No. 1 overall, and fourth consecutive job in which he worked with a quarterback taken in the first 11 picks.

Considering the Colts took a quarterback and two highly rated tight ends (Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen) in the 2012 NFL Draft, and don't have a proven feature running back older than 25, except receiving-adept Mewelde Moore, the concept of power running may not exactly be in their plans.

Manning, after all, threw 575 passes his rookie year, the highest in the league in 1998.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/7/15/3160504/indianapolis-colts-bruce-arians-pittsburgh-steelers-andrew-luck-ben-roethlisberger#storyjump[/URL]

[Slapstick]

Arians was with Peyton Manning and Tim Couch, both No. 1 overall picks, in their rookie seasons, and oversaw Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger starting in his fourth season.

Arians was not with Tim Couch in his rookie season...he was still in Indy for Peyton's 2nd season....

[ikestops85]

I hope Reggie Wayne is ready to catch 20 - 30 bubble screens this year.

[hawaiiansteel]

Haley’s chapter begins Wednesday

By Alan Robinson
Published: Saturday, July 21, 2012


Summer is the perfect time for a good read, yet nobody seems to be getting one on new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

A Bill Parcells protégé known for adapting his play-calling to his personnel and being an innovative play caller, he is also a volatile sideline presence who inspires loyalty from some players but irritates others.

He is certainly not Bruce Arians, who was not-so-gently shoved out the door in January despite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s unwavering support. But, according to those who know Haley best, he also isn’t a control freak who implements change just to show he’s the boss.

While the Steelers generally shy away from coaches with colorful pasts, Haley has that and more, as evidenced by his well-publicized clashes with players and an abrupt departure as the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach last year in which he reportedly suspected team offices and his cell phone were bugged.

Now, Haley’s assimilation into the Steelers’ way of life is the latest Mystery of Pittsburgh, a shadowy yet intriguing riddle that will begin to be solved when the Steelers — coming off successive 12-4 seasons — open camp Wednesday in Latrobe. It figures to be a can’t-miss page turner.

“I’ve heard a lot of Todd stories — some good, some bad,” said former Steelers star guard Alan Faneca, who played in Arizona after Haley was the offensive coordinator there. “He’s definitely a hard worker and demands a lot. He can be very excitable during practice. But sometimes change is good, to get people out of their comfort zone.”

That’s already happened with Roethlisberger, who thrived in a Ben-friendly Arians offense that permitted him to improvise at will. Upon first glance at Haley’s playbook, Roethlisberger jokingly called it a Rosetta Stone course in a brand new language.

“That (change) has a way of keeping guys on their toes and keeping their focus, understanding what their goal is, and that’s to win Super Bowls,” Haley said during minicamp last month. “Win one this year — that’s our goal.”

Haley, 45, is the first outsider in 13 years to run the offense. But he’s no stranger to Pittsburgh or the Steelers; as a youngster in Upper St. Clair, he broke down game film with father Dick Haley, the former Steelers personnel chief who played a major role in some of the best drafts in NFL history in the 1970s.

Football not first love

Todd Haley’s story isn’t the sit-on-dad’s-knee-and-become-a-football genius tale of Patriots coach Bill Belichick. In his teens, Haley shifted his emphasis to golf, playing in high school and at Florida and Miami in college.

The PGA, not the NFL, appeared to be his calling.

“But there never was a time he wasn’t into football,” said Dick Haley, who at 75 remains plugged into the NFL. “Because of some back problems, he got diverted into golf, but he always wanted to know about the players, about football. How many kids wouldn’t want to after rooming next to Joe Greene at training camp?”

The elder Haley left the Steelers to become the Jets’ personnel director in 1991 and, four years later, Todd was hired in the scouting department. Within two years, he was on Parcells’ coaching staff.

“Todd is bright, demanding, persistent, and he came along pretty well,” Parcells said.

Parcells didn’t care Haley hadn’t played football.

“I know guys who didn’t play and did very well in coaching, and others who played that don’t have a clue what to do,” Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, said.

Haley was promoted to wide receivers coach in 1999 before switching to the Bears in 2001, only to rejoin Parcells in Dallas in 2004.

Haley’s profile rose with his next job as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 2007-08. With quarterback Kurt Warner headlining an imaginative offense highlighted by former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s big plays, the Cardinals were second in passing and third in scoring in 2008. They went 9-7 during the season, but scored at least 30 points during three consecutive playoff wins and rallied from a 13-point deficit to nearly upset the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

That deep throw to Fitzgerald that nearly sent the Steelers home a loser from Tampa? Haley’s play call.

Haley was subsequently hired as the Chiefs coach by general manager Scott Pioli, the former Patriots executive who worked for the Jets when Haley did. But while Haley went from 4-12 in his first season in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010, finishing third in the coach of the year voting, he was fired with his injury-ruined team reeling with a 5-8 record on Dec. 12.

Stormy days in K.C.

Haley is derecho-like — always going straight ahead, in full-go mode, and in Kansas City, storm clouds often loomed on the horizon.

Chan Gailey, retained from Herm Edwards’ staff to be the offensive coordinator, didn’t make it through training camp. Larry Johnson, the two-time former 1,700-yard rusher, questioned Haley’s coaching credentials in a Twitter message and was cut in 2009. And tight end Tony Moeaki was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the final 2011 exhibition game, when many NFL regulars rest.

“The quarterback (Matt Cassel) was real average. … It didn’t surprise me what happened in Kansas City. I didn’t have any real confidence in the whole thing,” Dick Haley said.

After Todd Haley departed, the Kansas City Star published a devastating article in which a number of former team employees revealed what they called an intimidating, secretive and stifling work environment. According to the Star, Haley himself suspected bugging at the practice complex.

“I don’t know what happened in Kansas City. I don’t think it’s relevant in Pittsburgh,” Parcells said. “But he probably learned a lot there.”

Tutoring Big Ben

Given Haley’s sideline spats with Warner, Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens and Cassel, his relationship with Roethlisberger should prove intriguing. Haley once said, “If you’re sensitive, (the NFL) is not the best place to be.”

“You accept people for what they are and get past the sensitivity level, if there is any,” Parcells said. “Both guys are smart enough to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to make it work.’ ”

Torry Holt, a NFL Network analyst and former Rams star receiver, can’t wait to see how this plays out.

“Coach Haley has a strong personality. Ben has a strong personality. I’m sure Todd wants him to hone in on this or hone in on that, and Ben will try,” Holt said. “But out there on the football field, your instincts kick in and your competitive nature kicks in, and you kind of resort back to what you’ve always done.”

Haley’s take on Roethlisberger? “He’s a guy that’s been a really good player, and we’re going to try to keep that going and get even better,” he said.

Haley believes an offense must be physical, smart and disciplined, and his system resembles that of his former boss, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, a Steelers assistant from 2001-06.

“Todd Haley represents the best of both worlds,” NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes said. “With Kurt Warner, he threw it 45 times a game and didn’t blink. In Kansas City, he ran it 45 times a game. He’s got those three young wide receivers there in Pittsburgh, and Ben knows how to put the ball in the air. Todd will make the adjustments, and rather quickly.”

While Haley is an assistant again after being a head coach, his father insists he has never been happier now that he’s back home in Pittsburgh with his wife Chrissy and five children.

“He’s loving every second of this,” the elder Haley said. “He couldn’t be more excited.”

Dad Haley also realizes there is intense pressure to succeed as a high-profile coach in your hometown, even if former head coach Bill Cowher made it work.

“I don’t question he’ll do well. (But) there’s a lot of pressure to live up to what’s gone on there for a long time,” Dick Haley said. “And he’d better be good because there’s a lot of pressure on him right now.”

[URL="http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2195481-85/haley-steelers-coach-todd-former-parcells-camp-nfl-ben-didn"]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...p-nfl-ben-didn[/URL]